The LIW Small Talk Thread

[Jessie702]

Sorry for the slow response Too, today was a disaster day even though it was my bf's birthday. I went to the dentist to get the edges of my new veneers polished, but the dentist didn't tell me that would required removing some of the tooth. So now one of my teeth is angled in a way I specifically said I didn't want and I spent an hour crying when I got home. The tooth is honestly shaped exactly like the first one I had, and the shape is the main reason I had it replaced. I basically just went through a lot of pain and money on a tooth to achieve nothing. Needless to say I'm very sad but trying to cope since I have to live with it for at least 10-15 years.

Anywho, enough of my pity party. That is a really awesome company your FI works for! My bf almost worked at google, so I wonder if the environment and employee benefits are similar between the two. Is the company culture a big part of your life?

My bf calls himself semi-retired at the moment. We started a company a few years ago and then sold it several months ago, so he's been waiting til we moved to start something new. While I've been packing, he's been goofing around on his xbox. Quite the difficult life, I'll tell ya...

How was your picnic?

O wow..Cali, they cant fix it for free for you since they screwed up and didnt do what you want and didnt communicate properly. I would throw a fit

 

[calibali]

Unfortunately, it's bad for the remaining tooth structure if you keep taking off cemented veneers since you're bound to remove a little more tooth each time. I've already had one removed, so this really was my final shot at getting it right. I was so happy a couple days ago, I just thought they needed to smooth over the edges. Never did I think they would change the shape of my teeth so much. At least the edges are fixed, bah.

How are your classes so far Jessie? Do you think you'll like any of them, or any of them striking you as awful?

 

[TooPatient]

Cali -- Sorry to hear about your teeth. I've never liked dentists (which is why I have work I have to get done soon...) partly because so many just don't listen & communicate well. Your bf sounds like a smart guy. It makes sense to not start a new business if you know you're moving soon. What sort of stuff will his new business do when you move?
The culture of The Software Company can be interesting. They've got dry cleaning services, restaurants on site (also available to make dinner for your family so you can just pick it up and take it home), sports fields, clubs (for all sorts of things), etc.... I'm sure a person could pretty comfortably live there for 12+ hours per day. I've got mixed feelings on this part. It seems to be mostly the younger people who use the services and the older (involved in relationships) people do their work and head home. It is great that they also have the ability (at least FI does) to work from home for a day or two a week and have pretty flexible schedules.

I don't think this company is very similar to Google. A good friend visited Google one day (sort of interview) and talked to some of his old friends (he worked in other places with them). Our friend did NOT go to work for them. He said that people seemed to paste on the smile for him but the place was set up to have everything people would need during the day and the managers seemed to push people to work super long hours.



Picnic got changed. FI's meetings got called off this week so we went home and had fresh pasta (FI makes the best pasta) with homemade sauce. Plenty of time to eat that and get back to the company for the club meeting.

 

[Seattle SC]

Wanted to chime in since I'm usually just lerking!

Cali - I've been interested in veneers because I love the look of perfect teeth, but it seems like it's been causing you trouble. Would you say it's worth the cost? Everyone talks about how expensive it is to get done, but if you run the risk of not having long term results, I couldn't bear to go through that!

I didn't think I'd start feeling old until I hit 30 at least...shoot, with everyone talking about school now I feel like I need to go back and do some more learning! I don't miss the cost though - I still have a little bit of my loans left in the bucket

 

[TooPatient]

Hi SC!

Are you in the Seattle area?

How old are you (if you don't mind sharing)? I think you're right about the age of a few of us here. (I'm 25, Cali is 26)

 

[Jessie702]

o Cali, im sorry hon. Too bad they cant add more to the tooth like when you chip it.

I think my Eng class is going to be the best and my Math is going to be a pain. Blah, the teacher goes by too fast and theres SO MUCH HOMEWORK. I have like 80 more math problem to do by saturday and ive already done 80. I cant wait for school to be done already for this semester, next one will be more fun.

Too- o, pasta. I LOVE pasta.....can you send some of your FI pasta over here?

 

[TooPatient]

Jessie -- What math are you in this semester?

FI uses eggs, semolina, and bread flour.... Mmmmmmm.
This one I did a basic tomato & basil pasta sauce for. Tossed the noodles with some butter and fresh grated nutmeg.


I'm not really looking forward to school starting. I really want to finish and get my degree, but it is SO tiring. I've got calculus this quarter with the same instructor I had last quarter. We'll have homework due once a week (with a lot of "practice" problems that are HIGHLY suggested -- as in likely to be on the exams), quizes once a week, 2 midterms, and a final.
My other class is online and is an introduction to computer programming (Java).

1st day of the quarter is Sept 20.

 

[TooPatient]

Jessie --
I haven't posted on your other thread, but FI speaks some Japanese (pretty well actually from what I've seen -- of course I don't speak it so I've only really seen him translate some when we watch movies...). He also knows a bit (very small amount) of Chinese.

If I remember correctly, he said it is easier to learn Japanese because Japanese is Japanese but there are MANY different dialects of Chinese and depending on where you are people may speak one and not another.

 

[Jessie702]

im just taking Immediate Alegbra, it wouldn be so bad if the teacher didnt go through EVERYTHING so quickly, and gave so much work. I hate when they assign like 100 math problem to be done by the next class, seriously, students gotta work.

O, i am so not looing foreward to Calculus...i really am not. Im so sorry.

Thats cool your FI speaking Japenese ...im hoping its not too difficult, even though ive heard it is. Im more interested in learning Anciet Greek, and Greek, how long did i take him to learn it?

Well im off to class, gotta drive, and than fight for a park. I think i might try a parking garage this time, it might be a quicker hike than where i parked on tuesday.

 

[TooPatient]

im just taking Immediate Alegbra, it wouldn be so bad if the teacher didnt go through EVERYTHING so quickly, and gave so much work. I hate when they assign like 100 math problem to be done by the next class, seriously, students gotta work.

O, i am so not looing foreward to Calculus...i really am not. Im so sorry.

Thats cool your FI speaking Japenese ...im hoping its not too difficult, even though ive heard it is. Im more interested in learning Anciet Greek, and Greek, how long did i take him to learn it?

Well im off to class, gotta drive, and than fight for a park. I think i might try a parking garage this time, it might be a quicker hike than where i parked on tuesday.

Not sure how long it took him to learn. He kind of learned stuff through people he worked with.
He's not the greatest to compare how long it takes to learn a language. He speaks enough languages that he picks stuff up pretty quickly. (English, Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian and a bit of Arabic, Chinese,......) He's currently expanding his vocabulary in Yiddish, Ladino, and Arabic.

Good luck getting a good parking spot

 

[calibali]

Wanted to chime in since I'm usually just lerking!

Cali - I've been interested in veneers because I love the look of perfect teeth, but it seems like it's been causing you trouble. Would you say it's worth the cost? Everyone talks about how expensive it is to get done, but if you run the risk of not having long term results, I couldn't bear to go through that!

I didn't think I'd start feeling old until I hit 30 at least...shoot, with everyone talking about school now I feel like I need to go back and do some more learning! I don't miss the cost though - I still have a little bit of my loans left in the bucket

For veneers, it really depends on what you're working with to determine if it's worth it. I had super tiny teeth with fairly large gaps between them, and since I couldn't make my teeth grow veneers were the only way I could fix them. I had to get 2 gum lifts and 10 veneers, which is a bit more work than most people, but I have to say it was definitely work it.

I ran into problems because I am a hyper-perfectionist with an extreme attention to detail. I notice things that even the dentist couldn't pick up on, so it made it a more frustrating experience. I had such bad teeth before that I basically wanted perfect teeth now (even though I was told it was impossible), and they got pretty darn close to what I asked for. I know they aren't exactly perfect, but they really aren't supposed to be TOO perfect because then they look unnatural. For someone with my personality, it's just hard to deal with the lack of perfection and symmetry.

I know I've been focusing on the one tooth I dislike, but overall mine really do look amazing and natural. In this case, you really do get what you pay for and I can't emphasize how important it is to choose an experienced dentist. It's definitely not a decision you can take lightly and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who's teeth can be fixed by less invasive means.

Hope this helps a little! If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.

 

[calibali]

Cali -- Sorry to hear about your teeth. I've never liked dentists (which is why I have work I have to get done soon...) partly because so many just don't listen & communicate well. Your bf sounds like a smart guy. It makes sense to not start a new business if you know you're moving soon. What sort of stuff will his new business do when you move?
The culture of The Software Company can be interesting. They've got dry cleaning services, restaurants on site (also available to make dinner for your family so you can just pick it up and take it home), sports fields, clubs (for all sorts of things), etc.... I'm sure a person could pretty comfortably live there for 12+ hours per day. I've got mixed feelings on this part. It seems to be mostly the younger people who use the services and the older (involved in relationships) people do their work and head home. It is great that they also have the ability (at least FI does) to work from home for a day or two a week and have pretty flexible schedules.

I don't think this company is very similar to Google. A good friend visited Google one day (sort of interview) and talked to some of his old friends (he worked in other places with them). Our friend did NOT go to work for them. He said that people seemed to paste on the smile for him but the place was set up to have everything people would need during the day and the managers seemed to push people to work super long hours.

You are 100% spot on about google. They definitely try to make it so there is no reason for their employees to leave. My bf never worked for anyone besides himself (even in college he ran a business), so even though google isn't as structured/limiting as most companies, it just wasn't a good fit. We have been doing online marketing for several years now, but I think after we move he is transitioning into outdoor advertising. Every business he's ever started has been successful, so I'm sure he'll figure this one out too.

Sounds like a pretty good situation for your FI, especially the flexible schedules. Does it hinder your FI's advancement that he doesn't hang around the company more? Would you want to go work there once you're done with school?

 

[calibali]

Jessie - good luck with your math! I absolutely hated college math since I was more of a liberal arts girl and it took a herculean effort to get a good grade. I only got up to calc II (since that was all that was required for my major) and you couldn't pay me any amount to go through that again. Now english, that's the kind of class I can get behind... I took so many english classes just for fun that I ended up with an accidental minor in it, haha.

Got any other classes? I love hearing about school, I'm such a dork.

 

[TooPatient]

Hard to get too much more advanced than he is. When he finishes his current project he'll shift to a different group at the same level he is now with the possibility of advancing a couple of levels after that. He doesn't want to get above a certain level because he likes to do more of the software and less of the meetings/reviews/etc that would go along with much higher.

I don't think it hurts him to not stick around for longer hours, dinner on campus, haircuts, sports teams, etc. He's on a couple of the conversation lists and gets to know people that way and we're both members of one of the clubs and get to know a bunch of people that way. Once our kitchen is fixed, we'll start having people from another of the groups over for dinner. Also, in his current project, he is doing something that a bunch of different groups are using (and more are picking it up) and he's had the chance to work with some pretty high-up people in different groups.
His resume is pretty impressive and the stuff he's done within the company is pretty good too (especially once he finishes what he's working on now). (He worked on most of the operating systems currently in use, played a pretty big role in 3D graphics & animation, and has worked directly with some of the big name computer people)


It's great that your bf is so good at running businesses.

 

[Seattle SC]

Jeez, convo moves fast in this place!

Hi Too! Live, work, eat and play in the Seattle area. I moved away to the east coast for college since I loved it so much out there, but after graduating and realizing how much more expensive everything is out there, I came back close to home and really love it out here. I do miss not being around so many other major cities though. Are you from around here?

I'm 28 btw, BF is 34.

Anyone have any good suggestions on how to learn Japanese at home? Computer software, something? I'm actually half and never learned it since it wasn't offered at my school I know vocab, but never learn sentence structure unfortunately. It'd probably be good for me to learn a few things if I ever end up getting married and that side of the family comes over!

So Cali, the way that you were speaking about the veneers sounds like it's totally worth it! I can understand about wanting it perfect, especially when you're paying for something, it would seem like why bother if it can't be done right! I wouldn't need a ton of work (I don't think) but would really like for teeth to be evened out, etc. I need to find a good experienced dentist in my area too, so maybe I'll look into a practice that also does a lot of work with that kind of stuff.

 

[TooPatient]

SC -- You should have seen ST move 6 months ago.... could make it through 5-6 pages (or more) in a day!

Yep. I was born in Everett, lived in Lake Stevens, Snohomish, and Redmond. Currently in Sammamish.
Work in Bellevue.



You're certainly not old!

 

[TooPatient]

I used Rosetta Stone for Hebrew. It was fine for vocabulary, but it didn't teach me the alphabet first so reading was a problem (and they had sections to match spoken words to written words) since it doesn't use the same alphabet (or characters) as English. The biggest help for me was actually some websites I found online that had the alphabet (written and pronounced so you can hear what they are) and then taught words.

Not sure where to look for Japanese, but I'm sure there are great websites for that too. (the Hebrew ones I used were all free)

 

[Seattle SC]

Too - You're practically right up the road from me then! Personally I only go to Bellevue for the shopping (Neimans ) because I hate the traffic. Have you thought about the places you'd want your wedding at? Bellevue has a lot of nice locations, but it'd be too far from the airport since I'd have so many OOT guests!

Is Rosetta the one in the yellow box? If that's the one, i've heard that it's a really good program, but definately not cheap. I don't think I'd be too concerned with not being able to read Japanese as speaking is my first priority. Plus many of the characters are actually spelled out in the country, which makes it convenient!

 

[Jessie702]

Hi Sc

O wow...that awesome Too....can i borrow your FI once a week as a langauge tutor?

Cali- I keep thinking about your tooth and i am so sorry.

So tommorow is my Psych Class...2 hours. Blah. Im really hating the math teacher, ive done about 50 Math problems and have about 50 more to do by the weekend. I hate when professors act like your only taking their class. Im also taking Astronmy, its just 104, but if you have ever taken it, its more of a physic class, Also English, just had to write a essay in class today and Psych on friday. Good thing about being busy with school, you ahve less time to dream about SO's proposing.

 

[TooPatient]

Too - You're practically right up the road from me then! Personally I only go to Bellevue for the shopping (Neimans ) because I hate the traffic. Have you thought about the places you'd want your wedding at? Bellevue has a lot of nice locations, but it'd be too far from the airport since I'd have so many OOT guests!

Is Rosetta the one in the yellow box? If that's the one, i've heard that it's a really good program, but definately not cheap. I don't think I'd be too concerned with not being able to read Japanese as speaking is my first priority. Plus many of the characters are actually spelled out in the country, which makes it convenient!

Luckily I work sort of near the edge of downtown (sort of near Overlake Hospital, but a mile or so down on a nearby street so the traffic is far less bad) and am able to get there by sort of a back route and avoid the worst.... most of the time.
It is pretty convenient for us though. We only have one car and to get to my office you have to pretty much drive right past FI's office so he drives from home to his office while I finish getting ready in the passenger (breakfast, hair, shoes...) and then I take the car from his office to my office. Reverse that coming home again. About 15 minutes from his office to my office or school so pretty nice.


We've looked at venues but haven't found the right place nearby. There was one that I really liked and the price was right to rent but they "don't do ceremonies" so we'd also have to rent the place across the street (owned by the same people) as well (which was less nice and not what I picture for a ceremony). They also pretty much guaranteed me they'd schedule a concert that evening on their property (even though they haven't begun to schedule anything yet) and would not make the slightest attempt to keep concert attendees from walking through our wedding reception and our guests may have to park across the street.... Plus they could change the room we were rented at any time without our consent up to the morning of the wedding. (so, $3,000 rental + food + tables for bad attitudes and an unknown room with the likely possibility of a concert )

FI's favorite is Cave B Winery and Inn -- it's on I-90 just over the mountains and overlooks the Columbia River. Absolutely gorgeous (I've posted links in this thread a few pages or so back) with great service. Just have to decide if we can afford it.


Yeah... Rosetta stone isn't cheap. I think I got it on sale for $129. Not bad, but I didn't use it nearly as much as websites that were free. Far larger vocabularies and much more helpful.

 

[Seattle SC]

Hi Jessie! As much as I miss school sometimes, it makes it easier to not miss it when I get to hear people complain about all their homework! My 10yr high school reunion is tomorrow too...how time flys!

Too - So you're already engaged, is that correct? It's nice that you and your FI's commute is so close to each other. I wish I was in that situation but unfortunetly my guy starts before I do and gets off after I do.

Are you looking to stay right in the Bellevue area or have you looked in downtown or outside areas as well (other than Cave B)? When are you planning on trying to have your wedding? I remember seeing ad's for Cave B and I loved the setting! I'd say definately try for that place if they're not completely unreasonable with pricing - plus since it's so pretty you shouldn't have to spend as much on decorations! I wish something like that was close to downtown. My dream locations would be Beneroyal or the Olympic Sculpture park but only if I won the lottery. I'm not even engaged yet but I started asking about pricing and I know those are already knocked off the list What's the other venue you were looking into? I'm amazed at how some places are, you think with all the money you're able to spill down for a wedding they'd be much more accomidating! I think there's the Fall Wedding expo going on this weekend so you could always check that out and see different places - though I'm not sure how good they are about accomidating for the east side.

 

[calibali]

Jessie - thankfully my teeth are starting to "grow" on me and I like them more and more. The more I look, the more I see things that I said I didn't want but they actually look good on my face. So it all worked out I suppose.

Anyways, I just wanted to pop in and say have a good weekend everyone! I won't be on again until after the move, so I'll catch you guys next week when I'm in Denver.

I hope there's some good news waiting for me when I get back (ahem, Jessie). Dust to you!!!

And good luck to your FI Too! I hope he gets a spectacular bonus so you can start booking your beautiful wedding!

 

[Jessie702]

Hi Sc - Ill be happy when im all done. How are you today?

Cali- Have a good move hon, and be safe. Im glad your teeth are growing on you....thanks for the dust, but i dont think the SO is proposing this weekend. LoL....Maybe next

Too- How are you today?

All done with school here for the week, just gotta finish up all the homeowrk now. LoL.....

 

[Jessie702]

Hey Ladies...so i just went BACK into work, to find out ive been let go.

 

[TooPatient]

Hey Ladies...so i just went BACK into work, to find out ive been let go.

Oh... Jessie I'm sorry.

I was just checking in to see how you all are. I know it is tough but hopefully it means you'll get into something better (less drama, better pay, something you enjoy).


I'll try to get back in tomorrow for a bit otherwise I'll talk to you all Monday.

 

[TooPatient]

Jessie - thankfully my teeth are starting to "grow" on me and I like them more and more. The more I look, the more I see things that I said I didn't want but they actually look good on my face. So it all worked out I suppose.

Anyways, I just wanted to pop in and say have a good weekend everyone! I won't be on again until after the move, so I'll catch you guys next week when I'm in Denver.

I hope there's some good news waiting for me when I get back (ahem, Jessie). Dust to you!!!

And good luck to your FI Too! I hope he gets a spectacular bonus so you can start booking your beautiful wedding!

Have a safe move

 

[TooPatient]

Hi Jessie! As much as I miss school sometimes, it makes it easier to not miss it when I get to hear people complain about all their homework! My 10yr high school reunion is tomorrow too...how time flys!

Too - So you're already engaged, is that correct? It's nice that you and your FI's commute is so close to each other. I wish I was in that situation but unfortunetly my guy starts before I do and gets off after I do.

Are you looking to stay right in the Bellevue area or have you looked in downtown or outside areas as well (other than Cave B)? When are you planning on trying to have your wedding? I remember seeing ad's for Cave B and I loved the setting! I'd say definately try for that place if they're not completely unreasonable with pricing - plus since it's so pretty you shouldn't have to spend as much on decorations! I wish something like that was close to downtown. My dream locations would be Beneroyal or the Olympic Sculpture park but only if I won the lottery. I'm not even engaged yet but I started asking about pricing and I know those are already knocked off the list What's the other venue you were looking into? I'm amazed at how some places are, you think with all the money you're able to spill down for a wedding they'd be much more accomidating! I think there's the Fall Wedding expo going on this weekend so you could always check that out and see different places - though I'm not sure how good they are about accomidating for the east side.

You'll be plenty glad shortly. I've got calculus and intro computer programming starting in a few weeks.
Different schedules are hard. I used to start work at 6:30 and had to be on the bus by 5:30 to get there. I was done with work at 3:00 so had a couple of hours to clean the apartment and cook dinner before FI (then bf) was done with work.

Yep. Engaged on 3/5/2010 (my 25th b-day). Wedding date (tentatively) set for 8/21/2011. The pricing isn't too awful. They are actually pretty similar to the other places we looked at closer to home. The big difference is that they include EVERYTHING in their price (small rental + minimum food/beverage includes tables, chairs, table linens & napkins, place settings - plates, silver, wine & water glasses, etc --, staff to help set up & take down, staff to serve, chef on site to cut cake etc, bartender (if we want), use of sound system, dance floor, lighting, indoor and/or outdoor space (only one event per day so we could choose wherever we want), some hours of time with their wedding person, prep room for bride + women, prep room for groom + men, ................................
Much of what we looked into closer to home charged the same (or higher) rental fee and either had food onsite (higher price than Cave B or at least the same) or a list of caterers to choose from (that were either too expensive or not interesting). A lot of places also charged for stuff separately.

The place I liked and would have gone with if it wasn't for the attitudes and "no ceremony" rule was Chateau Ste. Michelle (the other one owned by the same people that we would have had to use (pay all the fees for also) for the ceremony is Columbia Winery).


OOOooohh.... pretty water view from the sculpture park.
At least you're looking early and know what to expect. There are a lot of pretty places that are far less expensive (look at the Seattle Arboretum) and at least as nice.

 

[TooPatient]

SC -- How was your weekend?

Cali -- Hope your move is going well.

Jessie -- How are you doing?

 

[Seattle SC]

I go away for a couple of days and feel like I can't keep up with the posts and engagements, even though it seems like things haven't been moving that fast!

Jessie, I'm so sorry to hear about your work! Try to look at it as a chance for something bigger and better out there.

Too - having everything included with the price is nice, since you don't have to worry so much about having people add a little bit here and a little bit there, for things you didn't even think about. I got quotes from several places but I wonder about how inclusive they were. When I received an itemized invoice example for one venue and saw all the extras I starting thinking about stuff the other places left out. I can't wait until I actually go an visit spots though, I don't think until then I'll be able to settle on things like colors and such.

As for my weekend, it was a rough one. It was my 10yr high school reunion and I drank way too much. I spent all day Sunday being hungover and part of today feeling like crap. I can usually hold my liquor pretty well I guess I can only withstand the power of so many dirty martinis. Lucky for me, the bf is in the kitchen making us some dinner. I love the days when he cooks and I can just sit on the couch. It's pricescope, wedding blogs and america's got talent for me tonight. haha.

 

[Jessie702]

Hey Ladies, Sorry i havent been able to check back in, just need a break from the net for a few days. Im doing okay, worried, but okay. I think sometimes thigns like this happens so you can make some changes in your life. Its just making me think ya know.

Too- How was your weekend.

Bg- How was the trip, got any pics?

SC- How was your weekend? Anything Fun?

Cali- Hope the move is going great